This easy Fruit Pizza recipe is perfect for any occasion, from summer gatherings to birthday parties. With a delicious brown sugar cookie crust and creamy frosting, it’s a treat that appeals to both kids and adults alike. The colorful fresh fruit on top not only adds a burst of flavor but also makes this dessert visually stunning. Enjoy the versatility of using your favorite fruits and impress your guests with this delightful dish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just about an hour, making it a simple choice for last-minute gatherings.
- Customizable Toppings: You can use any combination of fruits you like, allowing you to tailor it to your taste preferences.
- Delicious Flavor: The blend of the brown sugar cookie crust with cream cheese frosting creates a perfect balance of sweetness.
- Perfect for Sharing: With 12-16 servings, this fruit pizza is great for sharing at parties and family events.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids love fruit pizza! It’s a fun way to get them excited about eating fruit.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the ingredients, it’s essential to gather the right tools for making your Fruit Pizza. Having everything ready will make the process smoother.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Medium mixing bowl
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Quarter sheet pan or 9 x 13-inch baking dish or 12-inch round pizza pan
- Cooking spray
- Wire cooling rack
Importance of Each Tool
- Stand mixer or hand mixer: Makes it easy to achieve a light and fluffy texture in your cookie dough.
- Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients or making your frosting smooth and creamy.
- Cooling rack: Allows your baked crust to cool evenly, preventing sogginess.
Ingredients
This easy Fruit Pizza recipe is made with my favorite brown sugar cookie crust, spread with a dreamy cream cheese frosting, and then topped with your favorite combination of fruit!
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
– 1 (8 ounce) package low-fat cream cheese
– 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (or 1 cup powdered sugar)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– pinch of fine sea salt
– fresh strawberries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or any other fruit that sounds good!)
– optional fresh honey, for drizzling
How to Make Fruit Pizza
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease either a quarter sheet pan, a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, or a 12-inch round pizza pan with cooking spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
Step 3: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl using either a stand mixer (with the blade attachment) or hand mixer:
1. Beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
2. Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until completely combined—scrape down the sides as needed.
3. Gradually add in the dry ingredients; beat on low speed until just combined—avoid over-mixing.
Step 4: Bake the Crust
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan/dish. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough—this prevents bubbling during baking. Bake for 15–18 minutes until lightly golden. Once done, transfer the crust to a wire rack and let cool for about 20 minutes.
Step 5: Prepare the Frosting
While the crust cools, whisk together all frosting ingredients until smooth.
Step 6: Assemble Your Fruit Pizza
Once cooled:
1. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over your baked cookie crust.
2. Top with your favorite fruits.
3. Drizzle with honey if desired.
4. Slice into pieces, serve, and enjoy!
How to Serve Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza is a delightful dessert that brings joy to any gathering. It can be served in various ways to enhance its appeal and flavor.
Individual Slices
- Cut the fruit pizza into small slices for easy serving at parties. This allows guests to enjoy a piece without feeling too indulgent.
Family Style
- Place the entire fruit pizza on the table for a communal experience. Guests can serve themselves, making it more interactive and fun.
With Ice Cream
- Serve slices of fruit pizza alongside a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream. The creaminess of the ice cream complements the fruity flavors perfectly.
Drizzled with Honey
- Add an extra touch by drizzling honey over each slice before serving. This enhances sweetness and adds a lovely shine.
Fresh Mint Garnish
- Top each slice with a small mint leaf for a pop of color and freshness. It also adds a refreshing flavor contrast.
How to Perfect Fruit Pizza
Creating the perfect fruit pizza involves attention to detail and some helpful tips.
- Choose Fresh Fruit: Use seasonal fruits for the best flavor and texture. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, and kiwis are great options.
- Avoid Overmixing: When preparing the cookie crust, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough texture.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookie crust to cool completely before adding frosting and toppings. This prevents melting and sogginess.
- Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to get creative with toppings! Try adding nuts or different types of fruits for variety.
Best Side Dishes for Fruit Pizza
Pairing side dishes with your fruit pizza can elevate your meal experience. Here are some great options:
- Greek Yogurt Dip: A creamy yogurt dip pairs well with fruit pizza, adding protein and tanginess.
- Light Salad: A fresh green salad dressed in vinaigrette balances out the sweetness of the fruit dessert.
- Cheese Platter: Offer a selection of cheeses such as brie or goat cheese to contrast the sweetness.
- Grilled Vegetables: Charred veggies bring a smoky flavor that complements the sweet elements of fruit pizza.
- Chips and Salsa: The crunchiness of chips with fresh salsa provides a nice texture contrast.
- Sparkling Water: Refreshing sparkling water or lemonade keeps everyone hydrated while enjoying dessert.
- Chocolate Fondue: Create an interactive dessert experience by offering chocolate fondue alongside fresh fruits.
- Mini Quiches: Savory mini quiches can balance out the sweetness, making them perfect accompaniments to your meal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Fruit Pizza, it’s easy to overlook some key steps that can affect the final result. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
- Using cold butter: Cold butter won’t cream well with sugar, leading to a dense crust. Always use softened butter for a light and fluffy texture.
- Not measuring flour accurately: Too much or too little flour can result in an unbalanced dough. Use the spoon-and-level method to measure flour correctly.
- Overmixing the dough: Overmixing can make the crust tough. Mix until just combined to keep it tender and delicious.
- Skipping the cooling time: Applying frosting on a hot crust will cause it to melt away. Allow the cookie base to cool completely before adding the frosting.
- Choosing the wrong fruit: Some fruits release too much moisture and can make your pizza soggy. Opt for firmer fruits like strawberries and blueberries for best results.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
Freezing Fruit Pizza
- Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container.
- Freeze for up to 2 months; be sure to label with the date.
Reheating Fruit Pizza
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place slices on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes until warm.
- Microwave: Heat on medium power for 15-20 seconds, checking frequently to avoid overheating.
- Stovetop: Place slices in a skillet over low heat, cover, and warm for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fruit Pizza?
Fruit Pizza is a dessert made from a sweet cookie crust topped with cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit. It’s versatile and can be customized with various toppings.
How do I make my Fruit Pizza healthier?
You can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour and opt for natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup in your frosting.
Can I use frozen fruit on my Fruit Pizza?
While fresh fruit is recommended for texture and flavor, you can use frozen fruit if thawed and drained properly to avoid excess moisture.
What fruits work best for Fruit Pizza?
Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and kiwi are excellent choices due to their firmness and vibrant colors that enhance presentation.
Can I prepare Fruit Pizza ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the cookie crust in advance and store it in an airtight container. Add the frosting and fruit just before serving for best results.
Final Thoughts
This easy Fruit Pizza recipe is not only delicious but also highly customizable. You can mix different fruits or try various frostings to suit your taste. It’s perfect for gatherings or as a fun family dessert. Give it a try, and enjoy creating your unique version!
Fruit Pizza
This easy Fruit Pizza recipe is a delightful dessert that combines a sweet brown sugar cookie crust with creamy cream cheese frosting, topped with vibrant, fresh fruits. Perfect for summer gatherings, birthday parties, or family dinners, this colorful treat will impress guests of all ages. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility; you can customize it with your favorite fruits, making it an exciting option for everyone. Quick to prepare and simple to assemble, you’ll find yourself making this show-stopping dessert time and again.
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 12 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz) package low-fat cream cheese
- Fresh fruits (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
- Honey (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease your pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients; mix on low speed until just combined.
- Press dough into the prepared pan and poke holes in it. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden.
- Let the crust cool while preparing frosting by mixing cream cheese with your choice of sweeteners until smooth.
- Once cooled, spread frosting over the crust and top with fresh fruits. Drizzle with honey if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 100g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Use seasonal fruits for optimal flavor. Ensure the crust is completely cooled before adding toppings to prevent melting. Experiment with different frostings or add nuts for a unique twist.